Two blasts from the past are joining the Toronto FC front office.
The Reds announced the returns of Jimmy Brennan and Doneil Henry on Wednesday. Brennan, the team’s inaugural captain and first ever signing, was named a special advisor to the technical director, while Henry, the team’s first ever Homegrown signing, comes aboard as a special advisor for player development and club ambassador.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Doneil and Jimmy back to TFC for the 2026 season and beyond,” TFC general manager Jason Hernandez said in a statement. “As we began our strategic planning process at the end of 2024, we identified a major gap area whereby our organization lacked the reintegration of pivotal members of our club’s history within our staffing. We targeted several key members who felt strongly would add tremendous value to our club and are happy to have formalized their roles at the end of 2025. TFC is much stronger with the knowledge, experience, and passion that both Doneil and Jimmy bring to our sporting department, and we look forward to their elevated contributions during our club’s 20th season.”
Brennan, 48, signed with TFC ahead of its inaugural season after the expiration of his deal with Southampton. He had also previously played for Norwich City, Huddersfield Town, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City. He made 10 Premier League appearances for the Canaries in 2005-2006.
A native of Toronto, Brennan would make 84 appearances across four seasons for the Reds and was named an MLS All-Star in 2008. He retired after the 2010 season.
Internationally, Brennan was capped 49 times by Canada from 1999 to 2008.
After his retirement, Brennan rejoined the TFC front office as assistant GM and later an assistant coach from 2012 to 2014. Brennan later became the inaugural head coach of Canadian Premier League side York9 (now Inter Toronto) and served in the role for four seasons.
Henry, 32, announced his retirement from football in 2005. The Brampton, Ont. native joined the TFC academy in 2008 and made his senior debut in 2010. He made 70 MLS appearances across four seasons before departing for West Ham.
Henry would make a single appearance for the Hammers, in Europa League competition, and was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers and Danish side Horsens. He would return to MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps and later suited up for Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United. He would briefly return to TFC for seven league appearances in 2017. He last played in 2023 with the CPL’s Halifax Wanderers.
Internationally, Henry earned 44 Canada caps from 2012 to 2022. He missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup with injury.
